No, really...And take the family, relatives, the neighbor with the bored kids, anyone you can gather up June 7 and 8 and fish for anything you'd like, anywhere in Oregon (and/or Washington for that matter).

Well, anything legal to fish for, that is.

Free fishing weekend means you don't have to pay for any license or tag, but you must still abide by all current fishing rules and regulations – except the fees thing. And it's only good for those two days, but the Oregon and Washington Department's of Fish and Wildlife hope the fishing bug will rub off on at least some participants.

The sole difference in rules between the two states is the requirement in Washington for a catch record card for salmon, crabs, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut. However, Washington will issue a free card for those who want them.

Stocking trucks will roll across Oregon starting June 2. North Fork Reservoir, Timothy Lake, Estacada Lake, Henry Hagg Lake and several other waters will be heavily stocked. The complete annual stocking schedule (for catchable trout, including medium- and large-trophy fish) is available online at dfw.state.or.us. Click on “Fishing,” then “Stocking schedule” from the drop-down menu.

Also on the stocking schedules, in the far right column, are interactive maps showing locations (with driving directions).

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has arranged an array of events for the weekend to help novices catch fish. Many are for kids only, some require pre-registration and all will offer someone on site to help out.

Find the list also at dfw.state.or.us. Click on “Fishing” then on the drop down menu, the first tab, “Fishing Resources” and follow the prompts to “Free Fishing.”

The closest events to the Portland area will be at Benson Lake, near Multnomah Falls, Henry Hagg Lake near Forest Grove and St. Louis Ponds near Woodburn.

Sturgeon retention: Anglers will be allowed to keep sturgeon in the Columbia River between Bonneville and The Dalles dams June 13-14 and 20-21.

The seasons were set in March after biologists in Oregon and Washington decided there were enough fish remaining on the zone's quota after some winter fishing days.

The bag limit remains one per day (two for the year) between 38 and 54 inches from nose to fork (not tip) of the tail.

A new rule in the same area prohibits all sturgeon fishing, including catch and release, from the boat ramp at the Port of The Dalles across the river to a marker on the Washington shoreline. The area is considered a sturgeon spawning sanctuary.

Tigers in Oregon's tank: Tiger muskies planted in northeast Oregon's Phillips Reservoir to control yellow perch last year are bulking up.

Biologists report over-winter survivors from the 25,000 fish plant grew from four to five inches long to an average 14 this year. Another 15,000 will be released this summer.

Tiger muskies are a sterile cross between northern pike and muskellunge. Biologists hope they'll scarf up enough perch to return Phillips to its former glory as a popular trout fishery.

It remains illegal for anglers to keep a tiger musky, however. The program will be evaluated in 2019.

Tip of the week: Remember all that money to be made on the northern pikeminnow bounty (excuse me...the “sport reward”) program?

A lot of it will be made in the next month, and in shallower water near the shorelines.

Pikeminnows spawn from May to July, with peak spawning in June. The female broadcasts eggs along the bottom in graveled quieter areas.